Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB)

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36/ 2004
Bonn, 14.10.2004

Training modules - BIBB collects and leads the way with good examples

The Good Practice Center - Assisting Disadvantaged Persons in the Vocational Training System ("GPC") at Germany's Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training ("BIBB") has just added the 100th training module to its database of training modules that have been developed in accordance with the Vocational Training Act ⁰¹. Together with the other 99 modules, this database provides socially disadvantaged youths and young people with learning difficulties who have no training place a good springboard for improving their chances of obtaining a training place - by providing them a way to familiarize themselves with the rudiments of their future occupation while undergoing training preparation and, in this way, qualify themselves for a training place. Training modules particularly help young people learn. The learning units that make up these training modules are oriented to the actual substance of the particular recognized skilled occupation, making it possible for trainees to gather initial experience with their future occupation even during training preparation.
Training modules that are used in vocational training preparation schemes under Germany's Vocational Training Act must be certified by competent bodies (trade chambers) that they meet the requirements of the "BAVBVO" ordinance regarding the certification of basic occupational skills acquired during training preparation. The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training has, on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, issued a guide for developing training modules. This guide is aimed at encouraging training personnel and training facilities to develop more training modules that meet BAVBVO requirements and at helping them design and structure the content of these modules. In addition to providing fundamental information, comments and examples for implementing the new BAVBVO ordinance, BIBB has also developed 24 sample training modules for the following ten skilled occupations that fall under the purview of the Chambers of Industry and Commerce: 

Occupation: Office communications clerk

Training modules: 

1. Office communications 
2. Office management 
3. Information management - Focus: Word processing 
4. Information management - Focus: Text formulation 
5. Personnel management

Occupation: Production mechanic

Training modules: 

1. Metalworking and plastics working (Fundamentals) 
2. Service and maintenance of equipment 
3. Assembly of simple groups of parts
    

Occupations in the hospitality services industry: Specialist in the hospitality services industry, restaurant specialist, specialist in the hotel business, hotel clerk, professional caterer

Training modules:

1. Service and communication 
2. Guest relations and inventory management 
3. Kitchen and work scheduling 
4. Office organization and staff deployment  
5. Guest relations and marketing

Occupation: Cook

Training module:

1.  Food preparation in the catering trade and in industrial kitchens

Occupation: Housekeeper

Training modules: 

1. Food preparation and service 
2. Storage of goods and food preparation 
3. Cleaning and care of rooms 
4. Cleaning and care of textiles 
5. Arranging rooms and the living environment

Occupation: IT system support specialist

Training modules:

1. Simple IT systems: Data acquisition and documentation 
2. Simple IT systems: Selection and installation of user software 
3. Production of goods and services, operational structure 
4. Sales and marketing: Market analysis 
5. Sales and marketing: Preparing an offer

These 24 sample training modules have been entered into the GPC Database for Training modules (that have been certified in accordance with the Vocational Training Act) which can be accessed on the Internet at http://www.good-practice.de/bbigbausteine

The GPC database also offers:

• An overview of frequently asked questions (FAQs) complete with answers on the development and use of training modules that have been certified in accordance with the Vocational Training Act - so-called FAQs/Training modules, and 
• A checklist developed by BIBB in conjunction with the Zentralverband des Deutschen Handwerks (German Confederation of Skilled Crafts) and the Zentralstelle für die Weiterbildung im Handwerk (National Agency for Continuing Training in the Skilled Crafts) for the certification of skill profiles used in vocational education and training (VET) preparation schemes. This checklist was designed for use by relevant bodies and offers tips on what must be observed in the certification of skill profiles used in VET preparation schemes.

The Good Practice Center requests training module providers and relevant chambers
to add their certified skill profiles to the Database for Training modules
(certified in accordance with the Vocational Training Act) or to send them to the GPC.

The transfer of information and knowledge requires active participation to work!